Saturday 22nd April
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS IST LEG
Manchester City 1-3 Olympique Lyonnais (Att: 3,614)
Barcelona 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain (12,945)
First Leg Lead For Lyon
Over 3,600 gathered for Manchester City’s first ever UWCL semi-final but the home fans were dismayed to see their side behind inside 2 minutes, Saki Kumagai scoring from the spot after Carli Lloyd handled in the box.
There was a swift response though to lift City’s hopes, as Toni Duggan played Kosovare Asllani in behind the defence to equalise on 9 minutes.
But 7 minutes later and Dzsenifer Marozsan drilled Lyon back in front and might have scored again but Karen Bardsley beat the strike away.
Alex Morgan was through on the City goal but Bardsley did well to deny her, Abbie McManus then making a last-ditch clearance for the hosts.
Midway through the second half and the visitors banked a two-goal lead as Eugenie Le Sommer made it 3-1.
Man City came close to getting a second goal back in the final 5 minutes, a touch from McManus nearly taking the ball over the line.
There was a similar scoreline in Barcelona in favour of a French club, as PSG put one foot in the final with three goals in a 27-minute spell.
Marie-Laure Delie’s opener on 26 minutes was added to by Cristiane and Shirley Cruz Traña got the third.
Barca bagged a late consolation from Bárbara Latorre but there’s an all-French final on the cards.
Pictured – Duggan and Asllani celebrate City’s goal. (@ManCityWomen)
Both second legs will take place on Saturday April 29th, with the final of couse at Cardiff City Stadium on 1st June.
